Small cell installation structure

ABSTRACT

In aspects of a small cell installation structure, a carbon fiber skeleton provides stability and an attachable framework to mount wireless technology equipment. A formable foam material, such as a polyurethane material, is configured as a formable aesthetic housing around the carbon fiber skeleton, and a hardened polymer coating over the formable foam material is adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetic housing. The hardened polymer coating resists environmental conditions that may otherwise hamper performance of the wireless technology equipment. Additionally, an antenna housing module encloses antennas of the wireless technology equipment, is integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton, and is designed to pass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/900,336 filed Sep. 13, 2019 entitled “Small CellInstallation Structure,” the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of 5G wireless technology, millions of small cells willbe needed to provide support for the growth of wireless communicationsand the Internet of Things (IOT) devices. The Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) is mandating that cities support this endeavor by fasttracking deployment of small cells to support the use of fifthgeneration (5G) cellular network technology. This 5G wireless technologyis being implemented to provide faster data downloads and more networkreliability, and will support connected autonomous vehicles, smartcommunities, IoT devices, immersive interactions in industry, education,and entertainment, and many other features. Notably, this 5G wirelesstechnology is delivered via fiber optics to service sites and then overwireless frequencies, including millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum. Acellular network can have a service area divided into geographic areasas service sites, commonly referred to as “small cells” each withtransceivers and multiple antennas for wireless communication using avariety of wireless frequencies, including millimeter wave (mmW) used byall commercial and private wireless network providers.

Millions of these small cell service sites are needed to implement andsupport 5G wireless, such as in shopping centers, on college campuses,and generally throughout downtown regions of cities and in metropolitanareas. As defined by the Small Cell Forum (SCF), a small cell is a radioaccess point with low radio frequency (RF) power output, footprint, andrange. It is operator-controlled, and can be deployed indoors oroutdoors, and in a licensed, shared, or unlicensed spectrum. Small cellscomplement the macro network to improve coverage, add targeted capacity,and support new services and user experiences. There are various typesof small cells, with varying range, power level, and form factor,according to use cases. The smallest units are for indoor residentialuse, while the larger units are for urban or rural outdoor environments.

As new commercial 5G networks are deployed around the World, the needfor small cell sites in urban and metropolitan areas will far outpacethe number of traditional cellular macro-sites, and expectations arethat four to five million (or more) small cell sites are needed just inthe United States. However, conventional construction materials,procedures, and installation equipment typically used for macro-siteswill impede 5G network expansion through high costs and delayedimplementation. Further, many municipalities are requiring that smallcell sites seamlessly blend into the existing landscape in which theyare installed. Despite FCC mandates toward streamlining the local,county, and state building codes for small cell deployment, thesegovernment entities and, more importantly, the residents, must see theinstallation and operation of these sites as being either an enhancementor invisible to their environment. Notably, conventional steel pole andtower solutions are expensive to install, and even current small celldesigns implemented with steel poles do not materially reduce the costof site construction, do not speed the requirements for networkdeployment, and are quite limited in aesthetic design choices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of a small cell installation structure are describedwith reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be usedthroughout to reference similar features and components that are shownin the Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates features of an example small cell installationstructure in accordance with aspects of one or more implementations.

FIG. 2 further illustrates views and details of an example small cellinstallation structure in accordance with aspects of a lightweight polesystem utilizing a carbon fiber skeleton and a formable aesthetichousing.

FIG. 3 further illustrates views and details of an example small cellinstallation structure in accordance with aspects of a structure baseand an antenna housing module.

FIG. 4 further illustrates views and details of an example small cellinstallation structure in accordance with aspects of a structure baseand an antenna housing module.

FIG. 5 further illustrates views and details of an example small cellinstallation structure in accordance with aspects of a structure baseand an antenna housing module.

FIG. 6 further illustrates views and details of an example small cellinstallation structure in accordance with aspects of an oval structurebase.

FIG. 7 further illustrates examples of small cell installationstructures as omni-poles in accordance with aspects of one or moreimplementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method of a small cell installationstructure in accordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of various small cell installation structures aredescribed, and provide a modular and easily deployable solution forlightweight and aesthetically conforming, yet strong and durable, smallcell installation structures implemented to support 4G LTE advancedtechnology and next evolution 5G network service sites as small cellinstallations. The aesthetics associated with deploying a 5G network area particularly sensitive consideration for implementation in historicdistricts, on college campuses, and in metropolitan areas, while stillproviding an exceptional 5G wireless signal to meet the demands forincreased bandwidth and constant connectivity. Additionally, the costper small cell installation structure, capital expenditure, deployment,and operations is significantly reduced, while maintaining or improvingwireless communication reliability for the successful deployment of 5Gnetworks.

With the use of innovative, lightweight yet rugged constructionmaterials that pass radio frequency (RF) signals, the small cellinstallation structures described herein can be implemented as sitedesign packages that provide at least a two-times capital expenditurereduction for small cell poles and equipment enclosures overconventional materials and techniques, as specified in 5G standards setby some governing municipalities. A small cell installation structurealso provides at least a two-times material cost reduction, as well as asignificant weight reduction, reduction in deployment time and personnelneeded for installation, and provides enhanced security via robustlockable access panels, anti-corrosion materials, and anti-vandalismresilient coatings. Notably, a small cell installation structure is aneasy, lightweight installation, such as with a foam foundation, andeasily handled by a two-person crew, given that a six inch (6″)diameter, twenty foot (20′) pole would only weigh approximately ninetypounds (90 lbs). A small cell installation structure can be fully kittedwith footings, pre-assembled electronics and equipment, and power andgrounding ports for rapid deployment and installation.

In addition to these many advantages and metrics, a small cellinstallation structure can be implemented using a structural supportwith any type of a formable foam material or any of the various types ofpolyurethane products coated with a polyuria that can be shaped andadapted as a formable aesthetic housing in any type of a small cell sitedesign package to blend in with a surrounding environment. For example,a small cell installation structure can be designed to blend in with ametropolitan or urban setting, and to meet military camouflagerequirements for being unobtrusively integrated into a commercial and/ormilitary environment. An aesthetic implementation may include minimizingthe side view of a small cell installation structure, such as by usingan oval or even thinner blade-view configuration, where from the viewingangle of a person walking or driving down a street, the person wouldonly see a very thin profile of consecutive small cell installationstructures, if the person even notices them at all. This may greatlyenhance the notion of unobtrusively integrating small cell installationstructures into areas and environments that are particularly sensitiveto adding additional network service sites.

Generally, a small cell installation structure can be implemented forpredominantly a 5G small cell with pole heights between four and fiftyfeet tall, although shorter and/or taller pole heights may beaccomplished as well. As a lightweight tower structure, a small cellinstallation structure can be installed by a small crew, having muchlower installation costs than conventional steel pole solutions, andproviding ease of installation and speed of network deployment.Additionally, these small cell installation structures for private orpublic 5G small cell sites can be designed to incorporate existing 4Gwireless technology equipment, as well as Wi-Fi and IoT systemsequipment to achieve desired functions and coverage. Notably, 5Gdeployment will use a multitude of technologies, including traditionalmacro cells, Wi-Fi networks, and 4G frequencies, although true 5G inhigh data use areas such as cities will rely on small cells with mmWavefrequencies (between 24 GHz and 100 GHz). Further, the small cellinstallation structures described herein can be implemented toaccommodate a variety of equipment with associated mechanical,electrical, thermal, environmental, and RF operational challenges.

Features and concepts of a small cell installation structure can beimplemented in any number of different devices, systems, environments,and/or configurations, such as described in the context of the followingexamples, systems, and methods.

FIG. 1 illustrates features of an example of a small cell installationstructure 100 in accordance with aspects of the techniques describedherein. In this example, the small cell installation structure 100appears as a decorative lamp post, such as may be installed in a park,on a college campus, or in urban and metropolitan areas of a city. Inother implementations, a small cell installation structure can bedesigned as (or part of) a communications tower structure, any type oflamp post, street light, street sign, rooftop site, building cornice,building column, utility pole shrouds, sidewalk container, or any otherstructure designed to house and/or conceal wireless technologyequipment.

In this example, the small cell installation structure 100 has a carbonfiber skeleton 102 to provide stability and function as an attachableframework to mount wireless technology equipment within the carbon fiberskeleton. As shown in a cross-section view 104, the carbon fiberskeleton generally has a void 106 through which cables can be routedand/or equipment installed. Additional views and details of the carbonfiber skeleton are shown and described with reference to FIG. 2. Thesmall cell installation structure can be implemented with a formablefoam material 108 configured as an adaptable and formable aesthetichousing 110 around and/or integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton.

As shown in a cross-section view 112, a hardened polymer coating 114over the formable foam material 108 adapts to a shape of the formableaesthetic housing. The hardened polymer coating is implemented to resistenvironmental conditions that may otherwise hamper performance of thewireless technology equipment. Notably, the hardened polymer coating isgenerally water resistant and designed to withstand corrosion, as wellas prevent water, dirt, animals, insects, rodents, and any otherexternal environmental matter from entering into the internal spaces ofthe small cell installation structure. Additional details of theformable foam material 108 are also shown and described with referenceto FIG. 2.

In implementations, a small cell installation structure can beimplemented as a modular structure 116 with interchangeable componentsthat are reconfigurable and interchangeable to accommodate current andfuture wireless technology equipment and antennas. In this example, thesmall cell installation structure 100 includes the carbon fiber skeleton102 over which a structure base 118 can be installed. Inimplementations, the structure base 118 may simply slide over the carbonfiber skeleton for installation, such as after the carbon fiber skeletonhas been anchored in place or alternatively, as a pre-assembled systemfor deployment. The structure base 118 can be formed as aninterchangeable component of the small cell installation structure 100using aluminum, fiberglass, or any other type of material, such as aformable foam material with the hardened polymer coating over aninternal support structure to maintain the shape of the formableaesthetic housing.

Generally, the structure base 118 can be designed in any configuration,such as the lamp post base in this example, or in any other shape (e.g.,round, oval, square, rectangular, multi-sided, etc.) of any variousheights, widths, etc. For example, the structure base may be shaped anddesigned to provide easier pedestrian and/or wheelchair sidewalk accessrather than a typical square box enclosure design. In installations, thestructure base 118 is an equipment cabinet to enclose at least part ofthe wireless technology equipment, and can be designed with accesspanels and/or doors to facilitate access to the interior of thestructure base. The structure base of the small cell installationstructure can accommodate the needs for integrated RF, power, thermal,and fiber backhaul termination and operation to facilitate a 5G networkservice site.

In this example, the small cell installation structure 100 also includesa pole module 120 that is installable over the carbon fiber skeleton andcan be formed from the formable foam material, such as any type ofpolyurethane product with the hardened polymer coating, as part of theformable aesthetic housing. In implementations, the pole module 120 maysimply slide over the carbon fiber skeleton 102 for installation, suchas described above with reference to the structure base. Similar to thestructure base 118, the pole module 120 can be designed in anyconfiguration or in any shape (e.g., round, oval, square, rectangular,multi-sided, etc.) of any various heights, widths, etc. With use of theformable and adaptable formable foam material and hardened polymercoating used to form the modular components around and/or integratedwith the skeleton support structure, the small cell installationstructure 100 can be made to aesthetically conform in any environment,or appear as any type of structure, such as the decorative lamp post inthis example, or as a tree, a wooden post, a sidewalk container, etc.with the integrated skeleton framework for structural support.

Notably, any modular component of the small cell installation structure100 can be replaced with one or more alternate modular components forvarious configurations of any type of small cell installation structure.For example, a municipality may choose to install several small cellinstallation structures as the decorative lamp post shown in FIG. 1throughout a city park, and at a later date, simply replace any one orall of the structure base 118, pole module 120, and/or antenna housingmodule 122 of a decorative lamp post, changing it to appear as a treecamouflaged in the park environment. This may be accomplished withouthaving to remove and replace the already installed internal carbon fiberstructure and/or most of the wireless technology equipment at the smallcell site. As an additional advantage, a modular component of a smallcell installation structure 100 that has become damaged, such as whenrun into by a vehicle, can be simply removed and replaced with acomparable modular component, again without having to remove and replacethe already installed internal carbon fiber structure and/or most of thewireless technology equipment at the small cell site.

The small cell installation structure 100 also includes the antennahousing module 122 (also referred to as a “cantenna”) designed toenclose one or more antennas, as well as any of the wireless technologyequipment that is mounted near the top of the small cell installationstructure. The antenna housing module 122 can be interchangeable tohouse and install different antenna systems from different manufacturersand network providers, such as further shown and described withreference to FIGS. 3-5. The antenna housing module 122 can also beformed using the formable foam material with a hardened polymer coating,such as formed using any one of a variety of polyurethane productscoated with a polyuria protective coating. The antenna housing module122 can be integrated with a cable management structure, with the carbonfiber skeleton, and/or integrated with any other type of structuralcomponents that provide structural support of the antenna housingmodule. As noted above, this is a very strong and durable housing thatprotects the equipment from environmental conditions, yet can also passmillimeter wave (mmW) frequencies (between 24 GHz and 100 GHz), as wellas radio frequency (RF) wireless signals up to and including 6 GHzsignals.

The antenna housing module 122 can also be designed to facilitateantenna cable management, given that early antenna designs are based on4G LTE advanced technology, and the antennas will likely supportwireless spectrum frequencies from 600 MHz through 6 GHz. This wouldinvolve up to sixteen (16) ports or more on the antenna base to supportthe coaxial connections between the radios and the antennas. Notably,connecting the multiple coaxial cables to the antenna base will likelyrequire a cable management area between the top of the pole module 120and the antenna housing module 122. In implementations, the cablemanagement area can be incorporated so that the one or more antennas canbe mounted directly without the need of additional peripheral hardware.For example, a cable management structure can be integrated with theantenna housing module 122, not only for the purpose of cablemanagement, but also to provide structural integrity for the antennahousing module.

In configurations of the small cell installation structure 100, theantenna housing module 122 attaches to the top of the carbon fiberskeleton 102 and/or to the top of the pole module 120, and the carbonfiber skeleton may extend into the antenna housing to provide structuralsupport, yet does not block or interfere with the wireless signalcommunications. Further, from an aesthetic consideration, most citiesand their citizens do not want to see all of the large cantennas(antenna housings) at the tops of poles throughout their urban andmetropolitan areas. By utilizing the formable and adaptable formablefoam material, such as any one of a variety of polyurethane productscoated with a polyuria protective coating, antenna housing modules ofthe small cell installation structure 100 can be designed smaller and indifferent shapes and sizes to accommodate different antennaconfigurations to reduce the size of cantennas and meet the needs ofmunicipality aesthetic requirements.

In implementations, the carbon fiber skeleton 102 is a structure thatmay be installed directly into the ground or sub-terrain as shown at124. The lightweight support structure is easily installed at a depththat enhances the stability of the small cell installation structure100, some of which is provided by the aesthetic housing 110 that isformed from the formable foam material with the hardened polymercoating. It should be considered that alternate structure baseconfigurations without the carbon fiber structure extending beyond thelower surface of the structure base can also be utilized for small cellinstallation structure deployment, such as if the support structure isanchored at ground level. In alternate implementations (e.g.,alternative to the structure base and/or pole module being designed tosimply slide over the carbon fiber skeleton), the formable foam materialmay be formed to envelop and adhere to the carbon fiber skeleton,forming an integrated structural housing of the small cell installationstructure. Further, different forms of structural support may beintegrated with the formable foam material of the housing, such as rebaror other composite materials installed through or formed with theformable foam material.

Although the small cell installation structure 100 is shown anddescribed herein as being implemented with the carbon fiber skeleton 102and the formable foam material to form an adaptable housing, theskeleton structure may be implemented with any other type of material orcomposite that provides structural stability and/or functions as anattachable framework to mount the wireless technology equipment.Additionally, the adaptable housing may be implemented with any othertype of material or composite that provides an aesthetically adaptablehousing that protects the wireless technology equipment from theenvironmental conditions, to include strong winds, heat exposure, iceloading, seismic loading, and other forces that may lend to materialdegradation.

Skeleton Structure

In aspects of the described small cell installation structure 100, thecarbon fiber skeleton 102 can be implemented using any type of carbonfiber lattice or other material to provide the stability and/or anattachable framework structure of a small cell installation structure.The carbon fiber skeleton structure offers a lightweight and efficientalternative to traditional wood, steel, aluminum, and other compositestructures, although any of these or similar materials by still beutilized. The carbon fiber skeleton 102 is a composite structure withthe performance and weight advantages of expensive aerospace materials,yet is less expensive than comparable steel and fiberglass structures.The carbon fiber skeleton structure provides a composite solution for 4Gcell tower and implementation of 5G small cell sites utilizing ageometric design that increases structural strength and stiffness,reduces the weight, and also decreases implementation costs. At leastsome of the overall cost savings are achieved through a 50% reduction ofusing expensive composite material compared to traditional solid-walledtubing.

The carbon fiber skeleton 102 is a composite material that can beutilized and integrated to develop a small cell installation structure100 as described herein, which is cheaper, stronger, and lighter thancommercial steel counterparts, and the structures can be manufactured invirtually any diameter and length. Due to its lightweight but strongnature, the carbon fiber skeleton structure can be set-up and installedby a small team of installers using a simple light weight vehicle andcommon construction tools and materials which are also readily availableto rural and urban communities. This makes the carbon fiber skeletonstructure an ideal solution to expand broadband networks to rural andhard to reach urban areas, particularly when covered with anaesthetically conforming housing as formed from the formable foammaterial and/or any other type of a polyurethane product having ahardened polymer coating as the formable aesthetic housing.

Notably, the carbon fiber skeleton structure can be twelve times (12×)stronger than steel, yet weighs only one-twelfth ( 1/12^(th)) the weightof steel. A composite carbon fiber skeleton structure of equivalentstrength weighs only one-twelfth ( 1/12^(th)) the weight of a steelstructure, where a 100 lb. (45.4 kg) steel pole could be replaced with a9 lb. (4.1 kg) composite carbon fiber skeleton structure. Inimplementations, the carbon fiber skeleton structure incorporates stablegeometric forms with members that spiral in a piecewise linear fashionin opposing directions around a central cavity. The helical andlongitudinal members are repeatedly interwoven, yielding a highlyredundant and stable configuration. The geometry of the carbon fiberskeleton structure is generally symmetric and the redundant nature ofthe skeleton structure provides a strong and damage tolerant design.Further, the carbon fiber skeleton structure achieves an incredibly highstrength-to-weight ratio with the geometry that uses longitudinal andhelically wound members.

The carbon fiber skeleton structure can be implemented in many differentgeometric configurations. Naturally, any fiber and resin combination canbe used to fabricate the skeleton lattice structure, although theweb-like geometry lends itself to high performance, fiber-reinforcedpolymer composites (e.g., carbon, fiberglass, aramid, or basalt fiberswith an epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester resins, etc.). For structuralapplications, such as implemented in a small cell installation structureas described herein, the composite skeleton grid structure provides asubstantial improvement in structural performance over conventionalcomposite configurations. Similar features and implementation aspectsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,180,000 to IsoTruss Industries LLC,the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

Polymer Coated, Formable Foam Material

In aspects of the described small cell installation structure 100, theformable foam material with the hardened polymer coating used to formthe adaptable and formable aesthetic housing 110 can be implementedusing an type of formable, polymer coated foam and/or composite, such aswith any type of a polyurethane product having a hardened polyuria orpolymer coating. The formable foam material provides a durablealternative to existing small cell tower designs that typically utilizesteel, aluminum, or fiberglass. Additionally, as described above, theformable foam material can pass radio frequency waves which allows for ahomogeneous solution for the small cell installation structure thatincludes an equipment structure base, a pole module, and an antennahousing module. Notably, these modular components of the small cellinstallation structure 100 can be designed to simply slide over thecarbon fiber skeleton, such as a skeleton structure as described above.Use of the formable foam material over or integrated with a skeletonstructure is supported by material science testing, including tensilemodulus, ultimate tensile strength, initial mass, viscoelasticityrelaxation, and strain rate. This testing involves various mechanicaldesign analyses for different pole heights, diameters, materialthickness, pole deflection under wind load, and base and footingrequirements.

In addition, the formable foam material or other type of polyurethaneproduct with a hardened polyuria or polymer coating can be designed forchemical and UV exposure resistance, as well as providingelectromagnetic transparency with less than 0.3 dB of loss. As describedabove, the antenna housing module 122 of the small cell installationstructure 100 can be formed using the formable foam material and/or anyother type of polyurethane product with the hardened polymer coating,which is a very strong and durable housing that protects the equipmentfrom environmental conditions, yet can also pass millimeter wave (mmW)frequencies (between 24 GHz and 100 GHz), as well as radio frequency(RF) wireless signals up to and including 6 GHz signals. This providesfor the design and implementation of the aesthetic and/or camouflagedsmall cell installation structures with fully integrated radioelectronics and antennas.

In implementations, the formable foam material may be any type of apolyurethane foam or a sprayable polyurethane foam over which thehardened polymer coating adapts to a shape of the formable aesthetichousing 110 of the small cell installation structure 100. The hardenedpolymer coating is applied as a durable polymer (e.g., a polyurea, suchas a sprayable material) over the formable foam material, creating adurable, re-usable, waterproof, chemical resistant, and corrosionresistant formable foam material encapsulated with polyurea. Generally,the insulating properties of a formable foam material will not absorbwater, chemicals, or moisture if exposed to the elements, and is usablein any weather-related environment. In implementations, the hardenedpolymer coating can be used to cover the exterior surface, the interiorsurface, and end surfaces of the formable foam material to preventexposure to surrounding environment conditions. The polymer coating alsoprevents animals (e.g., mice, birds, and/or insects) from interactingwith the formable foam material, thus preventing animal damage to thesmall cell installation structure 100 and/or the wireless technologyequipment contained therein.

FIG. 2 further illustrates several different views 200 and details of anexample small cell installation structure in accordance with aspects ofa lightweight pole system utilizing a carbon fiber skeleton and aformable aesthetic housing, as generally described above with referenceto FIG. 1. Notably and as shown at 202, the polyurethane, formable foammaterial is integrated with and/or installed over the carbon fiberskeleton 102 (also referred to as the “carbon lattice”).

FIG. 3 further illustrates several different views 300 and details of anexample small cell installation structure in accordance with aspects ofan example structure base 302 and an example antenna housing module 304,as generally described above with reference to the small cellinstallation structure 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the structurebase 302 can be formed as an interchangeable component of the small cellinstallation structure 100 using aluminum, fiberglass, or any other typeof material, such as a formable foam material with the hardened polymercoating over an internal support structure to maintain the shape of thestructure housing. Further, the antenna housing module 304 can be formedusing the formable foam material with a hardened polymer coating, suchas formed using any one of a variety of polyurethane products coatedwith a polyuria protective coating. The antenna housing module 304 canbe integrated with a cable management structure, with the carbon fiberskeleton 102, and/or integrated with any other type of structuralcomponents that provide structural support of the antenna housingmodule.

FIG. 4 further illustrates several different views 400 and details of anexample small cell installation structure in accordance with aspects ofan example antenna housing module 402, as generally described above withreference to the small cell installation structure 100 shown in FIG. 1.For example, the antenna housing module 402 can be formed using theformable foam material with a hardened polymer coating, such as formedusing any one of a variety of polyurethane products coated with apolyuria protective coating. The antenna housing module 402 can beintegrated with a cable management structure, with the carbon fiberskeleton 102, and/or integrated with any other type of structuralcomponents that provide structural support of the antenna housingmodule.

FIG. 5 further illustrates several different views 500 and details of anexample small cell installation structure in accordance with aspects ofan example antenna housing module 502, as generally described above withreference to the small cell installation structure 100 shown in FIG. 1.For example, the antenna housing module 502 can be formed using theformable foam material with a hardened polymer coating, such as formedusing any one of a variety of polyurethane products coated with apolyuria protective coating. The antenna housing module 502 can beintegrated with a cable management structure, with the carbon fiberskeleton 102, and/or integrated with any other type of structuralcomponents that provide structural support of the antenna housingmodule.

FIG. 6 further illustrates several different views and details of anexample oval structure base 600 that can be implemented as part of asmall cell installation structure, as generally described above withreference to the small cell installation structure 100 shown in FIG. 1.The different views include an example of a structure base oval shroud602 of the example oval structure base 600, as well as several views604, 606, and 608 of the structure base implemented with wirelesstechnology equipment installed therein. The example oval structure base600 can be formed with the formable foam material with a hardenedpolymer coating, such as formed using any one of a variety ofpolyurethane products coated with a polyuria protective coating.Additionally, the example oval structure base 600 can be integrated withthe carbon fiber skeleton 102 and/or integrated with any other type ofstructural components that provide structural support of the structurebase for a small cell installation structure.

FIG. 7 further illustrates examples 700 of small cell installationstructures 702, 704 as omni-poles in accordance with aspects of a smallcell installation structure, such as generally described above withreference to the small cell installation structure 100 shown in FIG. 1.For example, the small cell installation structure 702 includes modularcomponents deployed over the carbon fiber skeleton 102, such as astructure base 706, a pole module 708, and an antenna housing 710. Inthis example, the structure base 706, the pole module 708, and theantenna housing 710 can be integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton 102for overall structural support of the small cell installation structure.Similarly, the small cell installation structure 704 includes modularcomponents deployed over the carbon fiber skeleton 102, such as astructure base 712, a pole module 714, and an antenna housing 716. Inthis example, the structure base 712, the pole module 714, and theantenna housing 716 can be integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton 102for overall structural support of the small cell installation structure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 for implementations of a smallcell installation structure as shown and described with reference toFIGS. 1-7. The order in which the method is described is not intended tobe construed as a limitation, and any number or combination of themethod operations can be combined in any order to implement a method, oran alternate method.

At 802, a carbon fiber skeleton supports a formable foam materialconfigured as a formable aesthetic housing of a small cell installationstructure for wireless technology equipment. At 804, environmentalconditions are resisted by a hardened polymer coating over the formablefoam material adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetic housing ofthe small cell installation structure. For example, the formableaesthetic housing 110 of the small cell installation structure 100includes the structure base 118, the pole module 120, and the antennahousing module 122, all of which may be formed with the formable foammaterial having a hardened polymer coating, and integrated with thecarbon fiber skeleton 102 for overall structural support of the smallcell installation structure. The modules of the formable aesthetichousing 110 can be removable from the carbon fiber skeleton 102 andreplaceable with alternate modules of the formable aesthetic housing.Further, the structure base 118 can be formed as an interchangeablecomponent of the small cell installation structure 100 using aluminum,fiberglass, or any other type of material, such as the formable foammaterial with the hardened polymer coating over an internal supportstructure (e.g., the carbon fiber skeleton) to maintain the shape of thestructure housing.

At 806, the carbon fiber skeleton is an attachable framework thatfacilitates equipment mounting of one or more of the wireless technologyequipment. At 808, a structure base of the small cell installationstructure encloses at least a portion of the wireless technologyequipment. At 810, a pole module of the small cell installationstructure routes cabling associated with the wireless technologyequipment. At 812, wireless communication signals are passed by anantenna housing module of the small cell installation structure, wherethe antenna housing module is configured to enclose at least one or moreantennas of the wireless technology equipment. The antenna housingmodule 122 can be formed from the formable foam material with a hardenedpolymer coating and is configured to pass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrumwireless signals. In implementations, the antenna housing module 122 canbe integrated with a cable management structure, not only for thepurpose of cable management, but also to provide structural integrityfor the antenna housing module.

Although implementations of a small cell installation structure havebeen described in language specific to features and/or methods, theappended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features ormethods described. Rather, the specific features and methods aredisclosed as example implementations of a small cell installationstructure, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to bewithin the scope of the appended claims. Further, various differentexamples are described and it is to be appreciated that each describedexample of a small cell installation structure or component thereof canbe implemented independently or in connection with one or more otherdescribed examples of the small cell installation structure. Additionalaspects of the techniques, features, and/or methods discussed hereinrelate to one or more of the following:

A small cell installation structure, comprising: a carbon fiber skeletonto provide stability and an attachable framework to mount wirelesstechnology equipment; a formable foam material configured as a formableaesthetic housing around the carbon fiber skeleton; and a hardenedpolymer coating over the formable foam material adapted to a shape ofthe formable aesthetic housing, the hardened polymer coating configuredto resist environmental conditions that may otherwise hamper performanceof the wireless technology equipment.

Alternatively or in addition to the above described small cellinstallation structure, any one or combination of: the carbon fiberskeleton is an IsoTruss structure; and the formable foam material is apolyurethane material with the hardened polymer coating. The carbonfiber skeleton is initially installable as the attachable framework,followed by the formable aesthetic housing being installable as amodular component of the small cell installation structure installedover the carbon fiber skeleton. The formable aesthetic housing isremovable from the carbon fiber skeleton and replaceable with analternate formable aesthetic housing. An antenna housing module toenclose at least one or more antennas of the wireless technologyequipment. The antenna housing module is structurally integrated withthe carbon fiber skeleton, the antenna housing module formed in partfrom the formable foam material with the hardened polymer coating and isconfigured to pass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals. Theantenna housing module is structurally integrated with the carbon fiberskeleton, the antenna housing module formed in part from the formablefoam material with the hardened polymer coating and is configured topass radio frequency (RF) wireless signals up to and including 6 GHzsignals. A structure base to enclose at least part of the wirelesstechnology equipment, the carbon fiber skeleton being installablethrough the structure base to provide additional stability of the smallcell installation structure. The formable foam material is formed toenvelop and adhere to the carbon fiber skeleton.

A small cell installation structure, comprising: a formable foammaterial configured as a formable aesthetic housing around wirelesstechnology equipment, the formable foam material integrated with astructural support configured to provide stability of the small cellinstallation structure; and a hardened polymer coating over the formablefoam material adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetic housing, thepolymer coating configured to resist environmental conditions that mayotherwise hamper performance of the wireless technology equipment.

Alternatively or in addition to the above described small cellinstallation structure, any one or combination of: the formable foammaterial is a polyurethane material with the hardened polymer coating;and the structural support is a carbon fiber skeleton integrated withthe formable foam material. An antenna housing module to enclose atleast one or more antennas of the wireless technology equipment. Theantenna housing module is structurally integrated with the structuralsupport, the antenna housing module formed in part from the formablefoam material with the hardened polymer coating and is configured topass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals. The antennahousing module is structurally integrated with the structural support,the antenna housing module formed in part from the formable foammaterial with the hardened polymer coating and is configured to passradio frequency (RF) wireless signals up to and including 6 GHz signals.A structure base to enclose at least part of the wireless technologyequipment, the structure base integrated with the structural support toprovide additional stability of the small cell installation structure.

A method for a small cell installation structure, comprising:supporting, by a carbon fiber skeleton, a formable foam materialconfigured as a formable aesthetic housing of a small cell installationstructure for wireless technology equipment; facilitating, as anattachable framework of the carbon fiber skeleton, equipment mounting ofone or more of the wireless technology equipment; enclosing, by astructure base of the small cell installation structure, at least aportion of the wireless technology equipment; routing, by a pole moduleof the small cell installation structure, cabling associated with thewireless technology equipment; and passing wireless communicationsignals by an antenna housing module of the small cell installationstructure, the antenna housing module configured to enclose at least oneor more antennas of the wireless technology equipment.

Alternatively or in addition to the above described method for a smallcell installation structure, any one or combination of: resistingenvironmental conditions by a hardened polymer coating over the formablefoam material adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetic housing ofthe small cell installation structure. The modules of the formableaesthetic housing are removable from the carbon fiber skeleton andreplaceable with alternate modules of the formable aesthetic housing.The antenna housing module is structurally integrated with the carbonfiber skeleton, the antenna housing module formed in part from theformable foam material with a hardened polymer coating and is configuredto pass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals. The formableaesthetic housing of the small cell installation structure comprises atleast the structure base, the pole module, and the antenna housingmodule all formed in part with the formable foam material having ahardened polymer coating and all integrated with the carbon fiberskeleton.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A small cell installation structure,comprising: a carbon fiber skeleton to provide stability and anattachable framework to mount wireless technology equipment; a formablefoam material configured as a formable aesthetic housing around thecarbon fiber skeleton; and a hardened polymer coating over the formablefoam material adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetic housing, thehardened polymer coating configured to resist environmental conditionsthat may otherwise hamper performance of the wireless technologyequipment.
 2. The small cell installation structure as recited in claim1, wherein: the carbon fiber skeleton is an IsoTruss structure; and theformable foam material is a polyurethane material with the hardenedpolymer coating.
 3. The small cell installation structure as recited inclaim 1, wherein: the carbon fiber skeleton is initially installable asthe attachable framework, followed by the formable aesthetic housingbeing installable as a modular component of the small cell installationstructure installed over the carbon fiber skeleton.
 4. The small cellinstallation structure as recited in claim 3, wherein the formableaesthetic housing is removable from the carbon fiber skeleton andreplaceable with an alternate formable aesthetic housing.
 5. The smallcell installation structure as recited in claim 1, further comprising anantenna housing module to enclose at least one or more antennas of thewireless technology equipment.
 6. The small cell installation structureas recited in claim 5, wherein the antenna housing module isstructurally integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton, the antennahousing module formed in part from the formable foam material with thehardened polymer coating and is configured to pass millimeter wave (mmW)spectrum wireless signals.
 7. The small cell installation structure asrecited in claim 5, wherein the antenna housing module is structurallyintegrated with the carbon fiber skeleton, the antenna housing moduleformed in part from the formable foam material with the hardened polymercoating and is configured to pass radio frequency (RF) wireless signalsup to and including 6 GHz signals.
 8. The small cell installationstructure as recited in claim 1, further comprising a structure base toenclose at least part of the wireless technology equipment, the carbonfiber skeleton being installable through the structure base to provideadditional stability of the small cell installation structure.
 9. Thesmall cell installation structure as recited in claim 1, wherein theformable foam material is formed to envelop and adhere to the carbonfiber skeleton.
 10. A small cell installation structure, comprising: aformable foam material configured as a formable aesthetic housing aroundwireless technology equipment, the formable foam material integratedwith a structural support configured to provide stability of the smallcell installation structure; and a hardened polymer coating over theformable foam material adapted to a shape of the formable aesthetichousing, the polymer coating configured to resist environmentalconditions that may otherwise hamper performance of the wirelesstechnology equipment.
 11. The small cell installation structure asrecited in claim 10, wherein: the formable foam material is apolyurethane material with the hardened polymer coating; and thestructural support is a carbon fiber skeleton integrated with theformable foam material.
 12. The small cell installation structure asrecited in claim 10, further comprising an antenna housing module toenclose at least one or more antennas of the wireless technologyequipment.
 13. The small cell installation structure as recited in claim12, wherein the antenna housing module is structurally integrated withthe structural support, the antenna housing module formed in part fromthe formable foam material with the hardened polymer coating and isconfigured to pass millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals. 14.The small cell installation structure as recited in claim 12, whereinthe antenna housing module is structurally integrated with thestructural support, the antenna housing module formed in part from theformable foam material with the hardened polymer coating and isconfigured to pass radio frequency (RF) wireless signals up to andincluding 6 GHz signals.
 15. The small cell installation structure asrecited in claim 10, further comprising a structure base to enclose atleast part of the wireless technology equipment, the structure baseintegrated with the structural support to provide additional stabilityof the small cell installation structure.
 16. A method for a small cellinstallation structure, the method comprising: supporting, by a carbonfiber skeleton, a formable foam material configured as a formableaesthetic housing of a small cell installation structure for wirelesstechnology equipment; facilitating, as an attachable framework of thecarbon fiber skeleton, equipment mounting of one or more of the wirelesstechnology equipment; enclosing, by a structure base of the small cellinstallation structure, at least a portion of the wireless technologyequipment; routing, by a pole module of the small cell installationstructure, cabling associated with the wireless technology equipment;and passing wireless communication signals by an antenna housing moduleof the small cell installation structure, the antenna housing moduleconfigured to enclose at least one or more antennas of the wirelesstechnology equipment.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, furthercomprising: resisting environmental conditions by a hardened polymercoating over the formable foam material adapted to a shape of theformable aesthetic housing of the small cell installation structure. 18.The method as recited in claim 16, wherein modules of the formableaesthetic housing are removable from the carbon fiber skeleton andreplaceable with alternate modules of the formable aesthetic housing.19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the antenna housingmodule is structurally integrated with the carbon fiber skeleton, theantenna housing module formed in part from the formable foam materialwith a hardened polymer coating and is configured to pass millimeterwave (mmW) spectrum wireless signals.
 20. The method as recited in claim16, wherein the formable aesthetic housing of the small cellinstallation structure comprises at least the structure base, the polemodule, and the antenna housing module all formed in part with theformable foam material having a hardened polymer coating and allintegrated with the carbon fiber skeleton.